“A Man who Changed the Vineyard” A Conversation on the Life and Legacy of Dr. Milton Mazer

On Saturday, October 8th at 3pm, please join us at the library for a conversation on the life and legacy of Dr. Milton Mazer, a psychiatrist and medical doctor, whose groundbreaking work in rural mental health issues helped to found MV Community Services. Martha’s Vineyard residents might be familiar with Dr. Mazer’s book, People and Predicaments, a momental book that highlighted the stresses and challenges of living year round on Martha’s Vineyard, issues and patterns we still see today.

This event will feature a panel discussion with friends and colleagues who knew Dr. Mazer and his work, on and off the island. Clips from a documentary by Ann Bassett of MVTV on Dr. Mazer will also be shown, with the film in its entirety to be shown at a later date. 

Panelists include Mike Colaneri, Tony Earls, Tom Bennett, and Peter Kramer. The panel discussion will be led by Dr. Charles H. Silberstein. The discussion will involve conversations on Dr. Mazer’s book, “People and Predicaments,” the origins of MV Community Services, the new collection of Dr. Mazer’s letters published by the library, and Dr. Mazer’s work and life as a clinician, teacher, and person.

Mike Colaneri, born and raised on Martha’s Vineyard, worked at the MV Hospital with Dr. Mazer. Colaneri served in Vietnam and has served for decades on various town boards and committees. He also makes a very delicious garlic scape pesto. Colaneri also orchestrated the publication of David’s Slingshot, a collection of Dr. Mazer’s letters.

A team, led by Dr. Milton Mazer, and additionally composed of David Smith and Bill Bruff, hired Tom Bennett to work at Martha’s Vineyard Community Services. Bennett feels that he was incredibly lucky to join such highly talented and committed professionals and that Dr. Mazer taught him to always include the strengths and values that others bring to a decision making process.

Felton Earls, MD, is Professor Emeritus of Social Medicine at the Harvard Medical School and Professor Emeritus of Human Behavior and Development at Harvard’s TH Chan School of Public Health.

Charles Silberstein, MD, was encouraged to move to the Vineyard by Dr. Mazer.  He moved here in 1995.  He is the Medical Director at Island Counseling Center and – is a member of the medical staff at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.  

Peter D. Kramer, a seasonal resident of Chilmark, was introduced to the Vineyard when he studied community psychiatry with Milton Mazer in 1975. Kramer is the author of eight books, including the international bestseller, Listening to Prozac and the forthcoming novel Death of the Great Man.

This event is possible thanks to financial support from a grant from the Martha’s Vineyard Cultural Council and the West Tisbury Library Foundation.

Refreshments will be provided. This event is free and open to the public.